By: Jacie Ann Crowell

Jacie Ann Crowell — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:07:32 +0000

Great article Bruce! Thank you for writing it, and being aware. When I was training I was always asking too many questions according to my instructor. I went from person to person also trying to gleen some of their expertise. This way of training was the most expensive way to train, however it was how I needed to do it to get my questions answered. That led me to think that instructors were not willing to help me become a good pilot or that they themselves either did not know the answer either. My primary guy understood his limitations and was great friends with the late Bill Kershner so Bill was my ground guy who gave me ground on the phone. The three of us became quite a trio for a bit of time…..
Bill knows his stuff and I am bless to have had enter into my training when he did. He sent me his books and would refer me to his drawings then tell me the story behind them. What does this have to do with flight training? EVERYTHING it taught me that instructors who remember what it was like when they first learned and have tons of experience and humility make the best instructors in the world. To let a student see your weaknesses then teach them how to deal with them and not feeling bad about yourself is the very best lesson a student can learn. It teaches CRM before a newbie knows what that is even about. It teaches humility; which should be on every flight and it teaches confidence.
In closing both instructors made an interesting comment about the FAA changes regarding spin training and teaching it. Bill’s comments when he would make a reference to those days would be by saying “When a CFI rating WAS a rating”. Frank would simply not sign us off until we were proficient in spin recovery; he always told me “I am teaching you what I was taught even if the FAA tells us not to. It will save your life one day”.
Respectfully

Comments on: Meeting the NTSB

By: Jacie Ann Crowell